Sunday, February 20, 2011

Anyone that knows me, knows i heart peanut butter more than anything. I would give up all food and live solely on pb if I had too, not even lying. When I ran across this recipe (thanks Design*Sponge), it wasn't a question of IF i was going to try it but how soon.
Here is the recipe, is your mouth watering yet?

Peanut Butter Cups

Ingredients:

3 cups chocolate ( use whatever type of chocolate you desire)

1 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup powdered sugar, sifted

1/4 cup graham crackers, crushed

1 teaspoon sea salt

Step 1:Line a muffin pan with 12 paper liners. I did the regular size cupcake for this first attempt, next time I plan to use a mini muffin pan. Set aside.

Step 2:
Melt 1 1/2 cups of the chocolate in a double boiler. I used a microwave, melting the chocolate in short bursts. Remove the bowl of melted chocolate from the stove and turn off the heat.

Step 3:
Using the back of a spoon or a pastry brush, paint a layer of melted chocolate onto the bottoms and sides of the paper liners. Don’t skimp on chocolate here; coat the liners generously. Set the bowl aside with any remaining melted chocolate left in it.

Step 4:
Put the muffin pan in the refrigerator for 20 minutes while you make the peanut-butter filling.

Step 5:
In a mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, crushed graham crackers, powdered sugar and salt. Stir with a spoon until well combined. I used my kitchen aid and it did a great job. I also used my food processor for the graham crackers and it helped a ton.

Step 6:
Return the bowl used to melt the chocolate to the top of the double boiler. Turn the heat to medium-high. Add the remaining 1 1/2 cups of chocolate and melt.

Step 7:
Meanwhile, divide peanut-butter mixture into 12 even amounts. (I used a cutting board with parchment paper on it while doing this to have a surface to rest the mounds on.)

Step 8:
8. Remove the muffin pan from the refrigerator. Put one mound into each paper liner. Tap down each mound with your fingertips to “nest” it into the chocolate bottom.

Step 9:
By now, the chocolate added to the double boiler should all be melted. Using a spoon, dollop the top of each peanut butter mixture mound with a generous portion of chocolate.

Step: 10
Use the back of a teaspoon to smooth out the tops (alternately, use the spoon to make a swirl atop each cup).

Step 11:
Place the muffin pan in the refrigerator. Within one hour, your cups should be set, depending how cold your fridge runs.

John and I have decided to test one new and unique recipe a week (at least). Here is our first test Home-made Cheez-its. John had to work so I enlisted the help of my good friend Dan & Trina. Here is the recipe, do try this at home!

Home-made Cheez-its

Finished product, yum!

Ingredients:

8 oz extra-sharp cheddar cheese, coarsely shredded

½ stick unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 t kosher salt

1 c flour

2 T ice water

You'll need:

Mixer

Plastic wrap

Parchment paper

Pasty cutter (I used a fork)

Baking sheet

Chopstick (I used the prong of a corn on the cob handle)

Step 1

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the cheddar, butter, and salt until soft and combined. Add the flour and mix on low speed (the dough will be dry and pebbly). Slowly add the water and continue to mix as the dough forms a ball.

Step 2

Pat the dough into a disk, wrap tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least an hour.

Step 3

Preheat the oven to 375˚F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or Silpats.

Step 4

Divide the dough into two pieces and roll each into a very thin (1/8 inch or less) 10 x 12-inch rectangle. Using a fluted pastry cutter, cut the rectangles into 1-inch squares, then transfer to the baking sheets. Use the tip of a chopstick to punch a hole into the center of each square.

The thinner you roll it the better, thing & crispy!

Step 5

Bake for 15-17 minutes or until puffed and browning at the edges. Watch carefully, as the high fat content of the crackers makes it a fine line between golden delicious and burnt. Immediately move the crackers to racks to cool.

Nothing like friends and drinks while cooking.

Note: Waxed paper does not equal parchment paper, so don't put in the oven!

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Becoming a wife has helped indulge my love of cooking. Having some one to cook for and test new recipes on is so much more fun than cooking for one. Saturday morning I decided to try out a new recipe while the hubby was still sleeping...so hopefully he could awake to yummy hot cakes.These aren't your typical flap jacks, these are special. They are Almond Butter & Banana pancakes, only 3 ingredients and you got your self a healthy and simple amazing breakfast!.

Step 2: Add 1 heaping tablespoon of Almond Butter to mashed banana egg mixture. I added a little extra to make them thicker. I also added a little cinnamon because I heart it so!

Step 3: Pour batter into already warm skillet or griddle (feel free to add a little cook spray or butter if you dont have nonstick) . It is better to cook these on medium heat for longer than high heat.

Step 4: The consistency is different than regular pancakes so it takes a little longer for the them to be ready to flip. Wait until you see the centers bubble and the edges get brown and then flip.

These bad boys are ready to serve, I personally just ate them plain but they are good with some syrup (we prefer Cary's Sugar Free), a little butter or even honey. They remind me of banana bread, delicious!

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Our hand written thank you notes are ordered but before we put the final stamps on we want to give props to the peeps that made our special day so special.

The best family ever!
We couldn't have had this wedding with out the Engels, Hamras, Schmitz, Nelms and Dodds. We love you all and are forever grateful!

A rockin' wedding party!
Here's to MOH, Rae, ACE, Trina-Tron, BogDog, Champ, Mari, Tim Cruise and Lil' Ruby! From planning engagement bbqs to crazy bach parties, our crew did it right. They even put in long hours of crafting to make it all possible (love you MOH). Double Bonus... they look good in YELLOW - word!

Last and certainly not least....Our Guests!
The Party was off the hook and it was all because of our friends and family who kicked their shoes off and danced the night away. Thanks to you and you and you!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

After lots of fun craft nights and hard work making props, chalkboards and a backdrop, my MOH Megan and me constructed our own little photo booth. With the help of our photog, JDesigns we got a bunch of goodies of our guests.
Check them out here: http://www.seemyprints.com/
search: Hamra
password: hamra time (all lowercase)